North Yorkshire Police says the results of a month-long summer campaign shows how determined the force is to tackle the ‘destructive scourge’ of drink and drug driving.
The campaign, which coincided with the FIFA World Cup (14 June-14 July), saw 118 motorists arrested on suspicion of drink or drug driving-related offences.
Throughout the campaign officers worked ‘around the clock’ conducting roadside checks and targeting known offenders.
To date, 10 drivers have been convicted at court and banned from driving for a total of 22 years. Fines have exceeded £6,500 – while some offenders have received community orders.
The 2018 campaign saw the number of arrests rise by 20% from 2017 – an increase that North Yorkshire Police attributes to a combination of people going out to watch World Cup matches, the warm weather and effective enforcement tactics.
Dave Barf, roads policing inspector, North Yorkshire Police, said: “The high number of arrests during our campaign shows how determined we are to take drink and drug drivers off our roads. It’s a destructive scourge that wrecks people’s lives, so I’m glad we’ve had such positive impact during our month-long campaign.
“I hope it’ll make people think twice. But unfortunately, drink and drug drivers tend only to think about themselves.
“I often wonder if they’d still do it if they saw what we saw – the absolute carnage of a crash scene; body parts on the carriageway; someone’s mum, dad or child lying rigid on a mortuary slab, and the heartbreaking reactions we see when we have to tell people a loved one has been killed.
“Despite our best efforts, it’s highly likely there will be families in North Yorkshire who will find themselves in exactly this situation before the year is out.
“You cannot believe anyone would be prepared to cause that for the sake a few extra pints or a quick high.”
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